I have a 1/2 arabian 1/2 quarter horse mare. I have been working on reining with her. (that is what I really want to do with her) but she has a good slide, a great roll back and a good back but her spins she has it down decent in one direction she crosses over in the front but the other way she wants to cross from behind it is getting better but it is annoying because the one directtion she naturely likes to sep infront but the other way it is hard for her she doss it right if it is really really I mean really slow like crawlling but I am not sure what to do she just turned 5 and she is doing great but I was wondering if anyone had an pointers?

No problem! I will just have to try and remember! LOL And I have to try and sweet talk my instuctor into holding the camera for me while I do it.

Heck with it I will try to put it into words.

This is very basic and you want to make sure your horse can do this before you ask for a spin.

This exersice enables them to free it up and make them realize that they can move using just the front end.

So you leave you right rein very loose, don't use it all. Bring your left hand down by where you back cinch is if you have one or where it would be if you did have one. Ask for the turn to the left then bump ( light tugs on the rein) their face until there nose drops down, his neck should be below his wither. Once your horse drops his nose down it allows much freeer movement from the shoulder, when their head is high it makes it easier for them to use their back end. Keep asking for it with bumps, not constant pressure. Keep at it until they move using the front end. (This could take some time, it took about half hour with my stud, but don't give up) Then stop asking for it for a second then ask again. Once again don't relive pressure until he moves only his front end and pivots on the back. Do this about 5 times everytime you ride, always ending when they are doing it right. MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR LEFT HAND (IF YOU ARE TURNING TO THE LEFT) LOW AND BACK, this is my biggest issue and I always tend to bring my hand forwards and up. At no time that you are doing this are you using spur or leg pressure. However if you horse does stop while you are asking him for the turn then you can give him some pressure with your right foot, but be sure to move your foot up closer to the front cinch, reminding him to use his shoulder. Your horse will have their neck turned and more than likily they face will be by your knee when they are doing this at first. You don't have to ask for alot of speed while doing this, just constant movement on the front end and pivoting on the back (which is a spin, only you are asking them in a way that is easier for them to understand and once they are good at this it makes anything using the forehand much easier for them, because they have learned to be agile on the front end)

After they have perfected this and they can turn at least two full circles (without pausing or stopping) like this then start asking for a spin the way you normally do.

If you want some more information on this do a google search for JP Forget. This is one of his techniques. He is a world champion reiner, a trainer and a riding instuctor.

Hope this makes some sense to you. I'm no good at putting actions into words!

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